Menteh, a major quarter in the Bamenda III Council had long relied on two aging bridges as lifelines, linking them to the rest of the municipality. For years, these bridges spanning the Alahlie and Nebere streams stood strong, weathering the passage of time, harsh weather, and the steady flow of pedestrians and vehicles. But by late September 2024, the bridges were on the brink of collapse. For the residents of Menteh, it felt like waking up each morning to the unnerving reality that their connection to the outside world could be severed at any moment.
For the hundreds of residents who use the bridges daily, the warning signs were glaring. A minor landslide had occurred around the Alahlie-Nebere bridge, further weakening its already fragile structure. The rickety wooden planks that had been hastily installed to make it passable for pedestrians only offered a temporary solution. But even then, crossing the bridge became a gamble with safety, as each footstep felt heavier, and every motorbike ride across was filled with uncertainty.
"It was only a matter of time before the bridge would give way completely. We had no choice but to rely on it, knowing how dangerous it had become. The fear was real, but so was the need to carry on with our daily lives." George, a resident we met told Hilltopvoices Newspaper
Facing the very real possibility of isolation, the Menteh community began taking matters into their own hands. Volunteers, determined to keep the bridge passable, came together to install wooden planks across its weakest points, ensuring at least pedestrians could still cross. But the threat of further collapse loomed large, especially with the rainy season in full swing.
It was in this precarious situation that the Bamenda III Council, led by Mayor Fongu Cletus Tanwe, stepped in. On Friday, 27 September 2024, Mayor Fongu and a delegation, including officials from the Ministry of Public Works, visited the Menteh Quarter to assess the damage and offer a solution.
Standing at the edge of the Alahlie-Nebere bridge, Mayor Fongu recognized the severity of the situation. The bridge had sustained significant damage, and while the community's efforts to keep it usable with wooden planks were commendable, it was clear that more needed to be done. The Mayor quickly announced a donation of 500,000 FCFA to support the community’s ongoing efforts and called for a broader, more permanent solution.
"It’s encouraging to see how the community has rallied together to keep this bridge functioning, but we must think about safety and sustainability. Let’s widen the bridge and install proper handles to support small vehicles and ensure pedestrians can cross without fear." Mayor Fongu observed
The Mayor’s financial contribution was supplemented by another donation from a local elite, Louis Nforbelie Ngwa, who gave an additional one million FCFA to help strengthen the bridge. Together, these contributions would allow the community to reinforce the structure with more wood, providing short-term relief.
But for the residents of Menteh, this was just the beginning. The real relief came when Mayor Fongu announced that a long-term solution was already in motion. The Council had contracted a construction firm to build a reinforced concrete bridge linking Namoh and Alahliea another passage that had collapsed cutting off the Namoh-Menteh area from the rest of Bamenda III.
The contractor, installed by the Mayor on the same day, was tasked with overseeing the construction of a temporary bridge to restore access while waiting for the rains to subside. Once weather conditions permitted, work would commence on a new six-meter reinforced concrete bridge, ensuring a permanent solution for the community.
They community has been called upon to take ownership of the project and collaborate with the contractor and workers to ensure a smooth execution of the project.
The Bamenda III Council’s response, combined with the generosity of community elites like Louis Nformbelie and the tireless efforts of the locals, was proof that even in moments of crisis, collective action could prevail.
One resident remarked, "We thought we would be stranded indefinitely, but the Mayor’s intervention has restored hope. We just hope that the work will be completed as soon as possible so we don’t have to live in fear anymore."
While the final bridge construction is still to come, Menteh residents knows that help is on the way, and for the first time in months, they can cross with confidence, knowing that they are no longer alone in their struggle.
By Bakah Derick
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